Neuroscience - an Introduction

This engaging book will serve as an introductory text in neuroscience. It conveys important ideas in neuroscience without overburdening the student with unnecessary detail. Drawing from his 35 years of teaching experience of teaching at Oxford University, the author concentrates on concepts and observations that students find difficult, amusing, interesting or exciting. Starting with a brief history of neuroscience, it covers cellular and biophysical aspects, sensory systems, motor systems, the hypothalamus, the automatic nervous system, learning and memory and speech and reading.

Written in an engaging style, Neuroscience covers the key ideas in the field in an accessible way. Concentrates on concepts that students find difficult. Engaging and accessible writing style. Serves as an introductory textbook for both medical and psychology students.

Table of Contents

Preface.

1. Historical introduction.
2. Structure of the brain and central nervous system.
3. Physiological techniques.
4. Excitable membranes.
5. The neuromuscular junction.
6. Central neurotransmission.
7. Muscle.
8. Sensory systems.
9. Visual psychophysics.
10. The eye.
11. Central visual processing.
12. Hearing: the auditory system.
13. Somatosensory system.
14. Pain.
15. Smell and taste.
16. Vestibular system.
17. Position and movement sense.
18. The posterior parietal cortex: active touch and active sight.
19. Motor control.
20. Muscle receptors and spinal cord reflexes.
21. Posture and locomotion.
22. The cerebellum.
23. The basal ganglia.
24. The motor cortical areas.
25. The prefrontal cortex
26. Eye movements.
27. Extrapyramidal pathways.
28. The electroencephalogram: reticular system, sleep and arousal.
29. Drives, reward, emotions and mental disorder.
30. The hypothalamus: body weight, temperature and fluid balance.
31. Autonomic nervous system.
32. Development, learning and memory.
33. Hemispheric specialization: handedness, speech and reading.

Glossary.

Bibliography.

Index.